26 January,2009 08:00 AM IST | | Amol Karhadkar
Mumbai Indians took Zaheer Khan from Royal Challengers as a swap for Robin Uthappa. pic/Suresh KK
Pollock says Zaheer Khan is an ideal replacement for him at Mumbai Indians
When Shaun Pollock announced his decision not to don the Mumbai Indians colours for the second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Mumbai camp was slightly worried about their pace attack.
Not anymore. Zaheer Khan's transfer from the Bangalore Royal Challengers in exchange for batsman Robin Uthappa has suddenly made MI attack one of the most lethal in the tournament.
The franchise couldn't have asked for a better bowler than Zaheer, arguably the best paceman in the world at the moment, to take over the mantle from Pollock.
"He is definitely ready to lead the Mumbai attack," Pollock told MiD DAY. "He has shown recently what a quality performer he is and I have no doubt that he is a valuable addition to the squad."
MI coach Lalchand Rajput believed Zaheer will add definitely not let the team miss Pollock's absence.
At his peak
"We lacked a genuine fast bowler last year, and who better than Zaheer could we have asked for?" Rajput said.
"He's been bowling at his peak for almost a year now. And what's best about him is the fact that he is as good while bowling in the death overs as in the starting overs."
Not many know that Zaheer's switch was initiated during an interaction between him, Tendulkar and Pollock during the last year's IPL. Both Tendulkar and Pollock were keen for Zaheer to be a part of MI, and the bowler was also eager to join his home team.
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Pollock may have made it clear that he is not going to participate in the second edition, but this doesn't necessarily mean that the former South Africa captain will not be a part of Mumbai Indians' set-up.
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The all-rounder, who was one of three captains that the most expensive IPL franchise had last year, is likely to replace Subroto Banerjee as bowling coach in the second edition of IPL that begins on April 10.
A Mumbai Indians source said the Protean has still not made up his mind.
"Shaun is still mulling his option," the source told MiD DAY. "But we would definitely want him to be a part of the set-up. He was of a lot of help to all the bowlers, especially the youngsters last year."
